The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Hamish hammers maiden hundred

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Friday, Mar 11, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

Hamish hammers maiden hundred

CHRISTCHURCH, MARCH 10. Hamish Marshall scored his maiden century in only his third Test as New Zealand made 265 for three on the opening day of the first Test against Australia here on Thursday.

Marshall (26) ended the day unbeaten on 103, leading New Zealand's scoring and bearing the brunt of the Australian attack after the visitors won the toss and opted to field at the Jade Stadium.

The mop-haired right-hander cut Jason Gillespie for a boundary, seven minutes before stumps, to complete his hundred.

He took four hours and 15 minutes to reach the mark, consuming 195 balls and hitting 14 fours and a six off Shane Warne.

``It was pretty tough. I'm pretty tired now and feeling a little bit jaded,'' Marshall said. ``But I loved every moment of it. I wouldn't chuck it away for anything.''

Marshall, playing his first Test at home, built on the foundation given by Craig Cumming who made 74 on his debut. The inexperienced pair put on 97 for the second wicket to frustrate the Aussies.

Lee left out

Ponting decided to leave out fast bowler Brett Lee, instead opting for the established pace trio of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz.

The Australian regulars rarely troubled the Kiwi batsmen, and although Kasprowicz and Warne took wickets, the tourists had to rely on part-timer Michael Clarke for one of their three dismissals.

New Zealand built up solid partnerships after the fall of every wicket. Cumming put on 56 with Stephen Fleming (18) for the first wicket while Marshall added 41 with Lou Vincent (27) for the third and 66 in an unbroken stand with Nathan Astle for the fourth.

Doubtful decision

Warne trapped Fleming in front to take his 567th wicket, while Kasprowicz had Cumming caught in a neat leg trap.

Clarke then controversially dismissed Vincent lbw with a ball that seemed to be missing leg-stump.

Marshall was superb on the off-side, picking up many of his boundaries from cut shots behind point.

In contrast, Cumming favoured the pull shot and played it well until Australia set the trap which proved his undoing.

``It was a good day's cricket for us,'' Fleming said. ``Batting first and getting through the first session in particular was important, then generating the run-rate later in the day. It turned out to be a good day on a good wicket.

``Hamish played a brilliant innings. Along with Craig Cumming, who deserves a mention, it was a good day for the youngsters.'' — AP

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